Cork SHL: Sars secure Division 1 final berth and condemn Fr O’Neill’s to relegation

Luke Hackett send one over for Sarsfields. Pic: Noel Sweeney

Sarsfields secured their place in the RedFM Division 1 Hurling League final with a terrific win over Fr O’Neill’s in Aghavine on Sunday, as Johnny Crowley and Diarmuid O’Sullivan’s men condemned O’Neill’s to Division 2 for next season. 

Jack O’Connor put in a sensational shift to score 0-9 from play for the Riverstown side, while Luke Hackett posted an impressive 1-4 as they scored 4-26 from play. 

They dominated from the start with the aid of the wind, putting together an early run to lead 0-9 to 0-2 after 12 minutes. 

They blitzed ahead from there thanks to first-half goals from Hackett, Colm McCarthy and Shane O’Regan. 

Sars retired at the interval with a 3-15 to 0-7 lead, with Bryan Murphy and Daniel Kearney excellent in the half-back line, while Killian Murphy and Daniel Hogan impressed too. 

They continued to clip scores even against the breeze, and Cian Darcy added the fourth goal late on, as the game ended 4-27 to 0-19.

Midleton maintained their perfect record with a hammering of Douglas, as another former Cork hurler starred with Lehane hitting 2-6 for the Magpies, while Peter Barrett struck 1-2 in their 3-23 to 0-12 victory over the southsiders. 

Douglas were without a huge number of key players and struggled to contend as Midleton raced ahead early. Cathal Beausang, Mikey Finn and Dave Cremin all scored three from play, while Cillian O’Donovan was Douglas’ top scorer with 0-3.

Patrick Horgan came to the fore once more for Glen Rovers midweek with 0-13 as they crushed St Finbarr’s league final hopes with a victory at the Glen field, as they were boosted by the inclusion of Micheál Mullins. 

The Barrs enjoyed the services of Cork seniors Ethan Twomey and Ben Cunningham, but goals from Simon Kennefick and Rhys Dunne left them beaten by two points, 1-23 to 2-24. 

Jack O’Kelly – who ended up becoming a crucial player for the Barrs in last year’s championship – came off the bench to score 1-3, while Eoghan Finn (0-4) and Jack Cahalane (0-2) showed up well too. Cunningham top-scored with 0-8 (0-4 f).

Carrigtwohill retained their Division 1 status once again after a commanding 3-26 to 2-15 victory over Killeagh, which saw the latter relegated alongside Fr O’Neill’s.

Seán Walsh was phenomenal once more for Carrig, scoring 1-8 from play (1-12 overall) while Cork U20 star Matthew Barrett hit 0-6 (0-2 f) for Denis Walsh’s side. Patrick Walsh scored 0-4 from play while Sean Rohan and Liam O’Sullivan also hit goals.

Killeagh’s top scorer was Ryan McCarthy as he hit 1-10 (0-3 f, 0-3 65), while David Buckley notched 1-2.

Blackrock put in a commanding display to defeat Charleville 2-27 to 1-17, Mike O’Halloran the star as he struck 2-6 (0-2 f), while Niall Cashman and Kevin O’Keeffe each scored 0-4. 

Robert Carroll hit 1-7 (1-0 pen, 0-3 f, 0-1 65) for Charleville.

In Division 2, Bride Rovers sealed their final spot with a win over Ballincollig 1-19 to 1-15, while Erin’s Own got their seventh win in eight games with a 1-21 to 1-18 victory over Ballymartle, also guaranteeing their place in the decider against Bride Rovers, as they finish top of the table.

Ryan Deasy scored 0-7 (0-4 f) for Ballymartle, while Leo Hennessy scored 0-4 (0-1 f) and Luke O’Callaghan hit 1-2. 

The Carrigdhoun club remain winless after eight, and are already relegated. 

They’re likely to be joined by Na Piarsaigh after the northsiders were beaten 2-28 to 2-21 in by Carrigaline, which was a crucial swing in the relegation battle. 

Na Piarsiagh are now on five points from eight games and two behind Ballincollig and Carrigaline, meaning they need to win against Kanturk on the final day and hope results go their way elsewhere. 

Newtownshandrum got their third win of the campaign by defeating Newcestown, ending the Carbery club’s promotion hopes with a 0-23 to 1-12 win. 

Jamie Coughlan and Turlough O’Neill were Newtown’s top scorers, while Mick Lenihan and Ronan Geary also impressed. 

Eddie Kenneally top-scored for Newcestown with 0-6, while Sean O’Donovan scored 1-2.

In the other Division 2 game, 14-man Valley Rovers got the better of Kanturk, winning 2-23 to 1-16. 

The gap was four at the break, Valleys leading 1-9 to 0-8 and when Liam O’Keeffe hit the net for Kanturk in the 44th minute they had the deficit back to three, but Valleys pulled clear to win, even after a red card in the final 10 minutes. 

In Division 3, Blarney, Courcey Rovers and Ballinhassig are tied at the top with 12 points. Courcey Rovers 1-19 to 0-12 win over Bandon eliminated Bandon (nine points) from contention.

Given Inniscarra have a game in hand on the teams above, any one of four teams can still make the final and achieve promotion to Division 2.

In Division 4, Kilworth stayed perfect with a 1-23 to 1-14 win over Mallow to go eight wins from eight, and they’ll be joined in the final by either Watergrasshill (12 points) or Aghabullogue (11 points) after the final round of games in two weeks’ time.

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